Energy & Environment Legal Institute

The Energy & Environment Legal Institute (E&E Legal) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in the United States. It is involved in strategic litigation, policy research, and public education focusing on energy and environmental issues.

History and Background

E&E Legal was originally known as the American Tradition Institute (ATI) and underwent a name change in September 2013 to better reflect its focus on strategic litigation. The organization was founded in 2010 and has historically been associated with controversies involving campaign finance and environmental regulation.

Mission

E&E Legal advocates for responsible resource development, sound science, respect for property rights, and a commitment to free markets. It aims to hold accountable those it perceives as promoting excessive or destructive government regulations based on what it calls "agenda-driven policy making, junk science, and hysteria." The organization supports a strong economy through energy dominance while conserving natural resources.

Funding and Associations

E&E Legal is funded by a variety of sources, including ties to energy interests such as coal producers like Arch Coal and Alpha Natural Resources. Its senior leadership includes figures connected to the Heartland Institute and the Competitive Enterprise Institute, both known for their skepticism on climate change. Additionally, E&E Legal is associated with the State Policy Network, a network of conservative think tanks across the United States.

Activities

• Litigation: E&E Legal has been involved in high-profile lawsuits, including attempts to access emails of climatologists like Michael Mann, reflecting its efforts to challenge environmental regulations.
• Policy Research: The organization conducts research and publishes reports aimed at influencing energy and environmental policy.
• Public Education: It engages in public education through media outreach and publications like its quarterly newsletter.

Partnerships

E&E Legal has worked closely with the Free Market Environmental Law Clinic (FME Law), which serves as litigation counsel for the organization. This clinic is associated with George Mason University School of Law and provides legal services in support of E&E Legal's strategic litigation efforts.